This is only the second time since 1996 that the Yankees have missed the playoffs, and that the Bronx will be a quiet place come October.

But looking back at last year’s off-season things might be different now if the Yankees had resigned starting catcher Russell Martin, and Raul Ibanez and not picked up an injury prone Kevin Youkilis.

You can bet Hal Steinbrenner is kicking himself with this one, as not did he lose money here but the Yankees odds of making the playoffs would have skyrocketed. OK maybe that is extreme but the Yankees playoff chances would have been much better without a doubt.

As the saying goes, stats don’t lie and is seems that Martin and Ibanez would have benefited the Yankees on the field and on the books.

Martin did sign a two-year deal with the Pirates for $17 million but you have to consider that Youkilis played in 28 games and was not great in them either.

Both Martin and Ibanez made it clear that they wanted to stay in pinstripes but the Yankees did not even counter Pittsburgh offer to Martin, nor reach out to Ibanez.